Imants Kalniņš

Imants Kalniņš
Background information
Born (1941-05-26) 26 May 1941
OriginRiga, Latvian SSR
(now Latvia)
GenresClassical music, Choral music, Rock music
Occupation(s)composer, songwriter
Years active1964–present

Imants Kalniņš (born 26 May 1941) is a Latvian composer, musician and politician. Having studied classical and choral music, he has written seven symphonies, several operas (including the first rock opera in the USSR, Ei, jūs tur!), oratorios, cantatas, choir songs, a lot of movie and theater music. However, he is generally best known for his rock songs. In 2021, Kalniņš received the Grand Music Award for lifetime achievement.

Furthermore, he served as a member of the 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th sitting of the Saeima, the parliament of Latvia, from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1998 through 2010, representing the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party.